Indian Railways continued its streak of record-breaking performance in fiscal 2025, surpassing previous benchmarks in both freight loading and revenue generation.
Officials confirmed that the railway network transported over 1.61 billion tonnes of freight during the year, making it the second-largest railway freight transporter globally, overtaking the United States.
China remains the only country ahead in terms of railway cargo volume.
Indian Railways’ total revenue for fiscal 2025 reached Rs 2.62 lakh crore, marking the third consecutive year of financial stability and break-even performance.
The capital expenditure for the year slightly exceeded budget estimates, surpassing Rs 2.65 lakh crore.
Passenger revenue climbed to more than Rs 75,000 crore, up from Rs 70,693 crore in fiscal 2023-24.
However, it fell short of the Rs 80,000 crore target set in the railway budget. The record passenger numbers were driven in part by increased travel demand during the Kumbh Mela, which contributed to higher footfalls.
An official noted, “The railways must ensure it remains the most affordable and reliable mode of mass transit while sustaining revenue growth.”
Coal continued to dominate Indian Railways’ freight portfolio, accounting for 817 million tonnes of transported goods—an increase from 781 million tonnes the previous year.
This played a crucial role in maintaining coal stock at thermal power plants, with closing reserves reaching 57 million tonnes compared to 50 million tonnes at the end of the last fiscal year.
Container transportation also witnessed a 10% increase, with a total movement of 37.95 million tonnes.
The number of rakes loaded in the fiscal year reached 598,000, marking an 8% rise from the previous year.
Parcel transportation saw remarkable growth, surging by approximately 29% to 1.3 million tonnes.
The total number of parcels transported increased from 31 million to 44 million, demonstrating a significant expansion in logistical capabilities.
In an effort to boost non-fare revenue, Indian Railways generated over Rs 6,500 crore from the sale of scrap materials.
This aligns with ongoing strategies to maximize revenue streams beyond passenger and freight earnings.
The latest performance figures underscore Indian Railways’ commitment to strengthening its financial stability while maintaining its position as the backbone of the country’s transportation infrastructure.
With continued investments in modernization and efficiency improvements, the railway network is poised for further growth in the coming years.
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